Settings in Adobe Audition for finalizing the audio of a video . Are they good?

D

deleuze3

Well-known member
Hi
Here are the settings i use in Adobe Audition for finalizing the audio of a video.

I start with equalizing, then compressing, normalizing, then normalizing.

I was wondering if my settings were any good for the web?

THANKS FOR ANY ADVICES,
Deleuze3
1) Equalizing

Also, you could :

- Remove sibilance
- cut the noise
- use a low/high pass filter




2) Compressor
Set the « Threshold » : -3 to -9dB

3) Normalize
Set to -16 to -23 LUFS (-16 for web, -23 for TV)

Or -3dB (Robert from Juicedlink says so)
[url]http://docstore.mik.ua/orelly/web2/audio/ch04_03.htm[/URL]

or 95%

4) Hard limiter
-2.5dB
(set the input boost to « 0dB »)

 
If it sounds OK to you.. EQ, compression and such is subjective and depends on the source audio.
There's no real loudness standard for web based programs at this point. IMO, -16 LUFS (integrated) is a good level. I leave 2 or 3 dBFS of peak headroom prior to encoding the audio. (normally a 320kbs AAC for a MP4 video file.)
FWIW, I prefer using the standalone Nero AAC encoder Nero AAC encoder from a master WAVE file and mux in the audio. I also prefer Handbrake to encode video. (.mp4/H264)
 
EQ after compression, not before, as the compressor can affect the frequency response of the sound.

Aside from that, there is no rule on settings for these things. Threshold, gain boost/cut, etc., are all dependent on both the source audio and the desired output, so it can be very different from project to project. And output level for the web is completely subjective. There is no standard.

I never normalize my sound for the web (or for broadcast, for that matter). I use mild compression and then a brick wall limiter with maximizer.
 
Thanks for your comments.
I have 2 questions.

Rick : I leave 2 or 3 dBFS of peak headroom prior to encoding the audio. What is peak headroom ? How do you add 2-3 dBfs of headroom in Adobe audition?

Alex : You mean you use a limiter ? WHat do you mean when you say you add a limiter with a maximizer ?

Thanks in advance for you both
deleuze3
 
What is peak headroom ?
>The amount from the highest sample value to 0.0dBFS.

How do you add 2-3 dBfs of headroom in Adobe Audition?
> Don't know off-hand, I'm not that familiar with Audition. Like Alex, I too use a peak limiter/maximizer on the master buss, which can also increase the level by lowering the threshold.
Many maximizers have a peak level setting, for instance if set to -0.01dBFS (one tenth of a dB prior to clipping) the level will not clip, no matter how hard you try. Naturally, excessive limiting will induce audible distortion.
There are many free maximizer plug-ins available that sound decent.' LoudMax' is free, forgiving and easy to use w/ two settings: threshold and output. The free 'Limiter #6' offers many more parameters and limiter styles, including inter-sample peak protection, but it's complicated for a novice.
 
I've never dreamed of using some kind of preset? I apply dynamic processing ONLY if the source material needs it. Using compression on sources that are intermittent produces awful pumping as the gains zoom up and down. If your end product is a wildlife programme, with lots of gentle sounds, then turning up the levels, by normalising can make it very until, so if, for example, during the continuous low level sound the was a gunshot - you have to make a choice. Surprise the listener with a really loud shot, and have the average audio level so low they turn up the volume and scare themselves, or select a compression setting to just dim the gun shot, or a hard limiter, or a mixture. The only correct answer is to do what is appropriate when you do your post production - there seems little scope for a 'standard' treatment. You are looking at average levels and peak levels, plus the rate of change between them.
 
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